Active Amazon, Machu Picchu and Galapagos Tour

Your family trip begins in Quito, Ecuador’s capital city. The first day is an easy one; after landing, a driver takes you to your hotel in nearby Puembo. Situated close to the airport, the town’s proximity ensures more rest time before your morning flight. Unwind or wander the streets of this charming community, with volcanic peaks on the horizon and colonial buildings lining the avenues.

The day dawns with a flight to Santa Cruz Island, the second-largest island in the Galapagos archipelago. Arriving at Montemar Eco Luxury Villas, an upscale retreat set on 43 lush acres where wild tortoises roam free, your family gets settled into their private villa. A guided tour of the grounds offers an introduction to the property before choosing your afternoon activity: easy-going art classes, restorative massages, or picnicking and snorkeling at Tortuga Bay. 

Trade the land for the sea as you board the glamorous Elite catamaran and set off on your Galapagos cruise. Days glide by in a happy daze of up-close encounters with Galapagos wildlife, swimming with sea turtles, flocking to flamingo hangouts, and lounging on pristine strips of sand as marine iguanas waddle past at different spots around the islands. Life on board is equally lovely: sipping morning coffee on private balconies, intimate meals, and sharing sunsets together.  

Back on dry land, return to Quito to get to know the city properly. Drop bags at the Plaza Grande Hotel, meet your private guide, and let the adventure begin. Find handicrafts at bustling markets, ascend to hilltops for panoramic vistas, unearth the city’s past at historic sites, and shout “ole!” along with the crowd attending a live game of soccer in Ecuador. With two full days to explore, the pace can go fast or slow befitting everyone’s energy levels.

Embark on a journey by plane, boat, and canoe into the wild heart of the Ecuadorian Amazon rainforest. Here, within the Yasuni Biosphere Reserve, hides La Selva Eco-lodge, where floor-to-ceiling windows welcome jungle vistas. Branch out each day on guided excursions. Pluck piranhas from Amazonian rivers, watch the aerial acrobatics of parrots, and climb into the canopy for the full bird’s-eye spectacle; rare experiences transformed into treasured family memories.

Travel back to civilization with a return boat ride and flight to Quito. Once again, Puembo is your base for a relaxing night before the next step of the journey; this time, you’ll be rooming at the La Palma Polo Hotel. Tired parents and grandparents can enjoy some much-needed downtime while younger ones splash about in the pool or run around the property’s broad grassy lawns. 

Bid farewell to Ecuador as you fly to Peru, heading straight to the Sacred Valley. Your destination is Explora Valle Sagrado, a design-driven luxury hacienda with peak-framed pools and wood-wrapped rooms overlooking the misty valley floor. A seemingly-limitless array of excursions is on offer for your stay: market visits, hikes on ancient Incan trails, guided tours of archaeological sites. Explore independently or as a family, but always coming back together as night falls for meals and peaceful evenings. 

Watch dense forests and mountain peaks glide by through floor-to-ceiling windows on the Vistadome train as it ferries you to where you'll start hiking the Inca Trail. Suitable for all ages, the route winds through misty forests to the Sun Gate: Machu Picchu’s gateway. Arms around each other, stand high above the ancient city and take in the view together. Explore this legendary complex before retiring for a restful evening at Inkaterra Machu Picchu Pueblo Hotel. 

A single visit to Machu Picchu isn’t enough to fully appreciate this site’s wonders, so the entire next morning is devoted to a return visit. Trek across the terraces, lounge on grassy lawns, or hike up the steep steps of Huayna Picchu, the massive spire looming over the city, for a sky-scraping vantage point. Efforts are rewarded with a leisurely afternoon ride aboard the decadent Hiram Bingham train back to Cusco, sipping pisco sours as live musicians play. 

A city of clashing cultures where llamas wander the streets and clouds catch on close-enough-to-touch peaks, Cusco is the final stop of the trip. Led by a local guide, a curated Cusco city tour takes you to your choice sites and experiences: artisan workshops where handicrafts come to life before your eyes, secret food stalls slinging traditional fare, or maze-like markets. A final celebratory meal at a local restaurant is the perfect capstone to the journey. 

After checking out from the hotel, a driver takes you to the Cusco airport for your departure flight. It’s been an incredible three weeks to look back on, and more memories await at your next destination. Or, return home together having become even closer as a family.